announcement

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Cancelled Christmas services in Ashampstead & Aldworth

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It is with enormous regret that we have taken the difficult decision to cancel the Carol Service at St Clement’s today. We just feel that in the light of the danger of the mutating virus and Tier 4 restrictions that it is our responsibility to make sure that everyone remains as safe as possible.

We have also decided to cancel the Christmas morning Holy Communion service. Aldworth has made the same decision as we both feel that it will be virtually impossible to make both our churches which are old totally covid-secure.

There are a number of online services taking place, notably we have a zoom Benefice Holy Communion service on Christmas Day which will be led by Juliet Straw. The Diocese is also providing a number of services and there will be many on the radio too. We will circulate details of all of these to you in the next few days.

We would also like to reassure you that St Clement’s will remain open for private prayer. St Clement’s has been beautifully decorated and all the Christmas stars are being blessed and hung this morning – a wonderful way of remembering all those we shall sadly be unable to see this Christmas. Do come and see them and say a prayer..

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Dates and Doings - keeping you in touch with your local community

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We can be back in our church buildings tomorrow to celebrate the second Sunday in Advent. There will be music but no congregational singing.

At St Stephen's we'll be looking for a volunteer to light the candles! It will be a short service - families welcome! Come and help light the candles on our Advent wreath as we remember the preparations which God made for the coming of his Son into the world.

Lord Jesus you are the true light that gives light to everyone: At this Advent season, as we prepare ourselves for Christmas, may we receive you again in our hearts, renew our belief in your name, and remember that you give us the right to become ch…

Lord Jesus you are the true light that gives light to everyone:

At this Advent season, as we prepare ourselves for Christmas, may we receive you again in our hearts, renew our belief in your name, and remember that you give us the right to become children of God.

Lord Jesus, you are the Word become flesh, you made your home among us:

At this Advent season as we prepare ourselves for Christmas, may we once more be ready to see your glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

based on John 1:9-14

Featured Events

SERVICES in the benefice

Featured
Holy Communion @ Ashampstead 8.30am
Nov 24
Holy Communion @ Ashampstead 8.30am

We gather at 8.30am for a short said communion service using the words of the wonderful Book of Common Prayer. The service will include a short sermon, and plenty of time to pray, reflect and encounter God in this wonderful place. What a brilliant way to begin a Sunday - especially as there is coffee and biscuits served afterwards.

Bacon Butty Sunday @ Basildon
Nov 24
Bacon Butty Sunday @ Basildon

We join together for a short interactive family worship service. Lots of fun! Action songs, Bible readings, dressing up, toys and we finish with yummy refreshments. Bacon butties, posh omelettes, pastries and much more.Lots of Holy Chaos. Come join the fun.

6pm Evensong @ Aldworth
Nov 24
6pm Evensong @ Aldworth

St Mary's

This is a fabulous way to round off the weekend. We gather together in the atmospheric St. Mary’s Aldworth to pray and worship together using the traditional and powerful words of Evensong from the Book of Common Prayer. We have a small community choir to help us sing God’s praise. There is a short sermon with prayers and psalms. If you are looking for a spiritual encounter with the Lord in the comfort of a traditional service - this is for you.

8.30am Holy Communion @ Aldworth
Dec 1
8.30am Holy Communion @ Aldworth

St Mary's

A short said service of Holy Communion using the tradition Book of Common Prayer format. We enjoy a said service this week, with scriptures, prayers and a sermon. A perfect way to begin a Sunday morning in worship.

10am Family Communion @ Ashampstead
Dec 1
10am Family Communion @ Ashampstead

This week we gather for a Family Communion service with short readings and sermon, plus some well known hymns. Bring the whole family as we gather around the Lord’s table. We look forward to seeing you.

Basildon Christingle Service - with Basildon Primary
Dec 1
Basildon Christingle Service - with Basildon Primary

Join us at 10am as we host our Christingle Service with special performances from Basildon Primary School. We will build the Christingles as part of our service and enjoy some delicious refreshments afterwards. Absolutely everybody welcome.

8.30am Holy Communion @ Ashampstead
Dec 8
8.30am Holy Communion @ Ashampstead

St Clement’s

We gather at 8.30am for a short said communion service using the words of the wonderful Book of Common Prayer. The service will include a short sermon, and plenty of time to pray, reflect and encounter God in this wonderful place. What a brilliant way to begin a Sunday - especially as there is coffee and biscuits served afterwards.

10am Taize @ Basildon
Dec 8
10am Taize @ Basildon

St Stephen’s,

An informal and friendly service where we sing worship songs, hear the inspiring words of Scripture and pray for one another and the needs of the world. We enjoy a short talk and we welcome children and families to be fully part of the service. After the service we enjoy wonderful refreshments which are always yummy!

6pm Evensong @ Aldworth
Dec 8
6pm Evensong @ Aldworth

St Mary's

This is a fabulous way to round off the weekend. We gather together in the atmospheric St. Mary’s Aldworth to pray and worship together using the traditional and powerful words of Evensong from the Book of Common Prayer. We have a small community choir to help us sing God’s praise. There is a short sermon with prayers and psalms. If you are looking for a spiritual encounter with the Lord in the comfort of a traditional service - this is for you.

Carols @ The Bell Aldworth 5pm!
Dec 14
Carols @ The Bell Aldworth 5pm!

Join us at The Bell Pub in Aldworth at 5pm as we sing some classic Christmas Carols as well as enjoy some refreshments! Everybody welcome for a fun filled afternoon!

Featured
Jubilee Beacon Lighting Event Basildon
Jubilee Beacon Lighting Event Basildon

We’re all invited to begin the Jubilee weekend by lighting an official jubilee beacon on Thursday 2nd June.

Welcome our new Curate!
Welcome our new Curate!

Join us as we welcome our new Curate to the Benefice for a garden party at The Vicarage, Upper Basildon. Jen’s first services across the Benefice will be on the 3rd July 2022, so join us in the afternoon as we properly welcome her to Basildon, Ashampstead and Aldworth.

Concert with the Giants
Concert with the Giants

Join us for a wonderful evening concert in the company of the Aldworth Giant’s. Saturday 30th July 7pm.

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Weekly Newsletter 10th March
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Weekly Newsletter 3rd March
Books for Dolly.png
Book Exchange - Books for Dolly
Featured
Post Office @ St Stephens
Nov 22
Post Office @ St Stephens
Post Office @ St. Stephen's
Nov 25
Post Office @ St. Stephen's
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From 2nd December we are in Tier 2 but WE CAN MEET FOR WORSHIP

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From 2nd December we are in Tier 2 but WE CAN MEET FOR WORSHIP

From Wednesday 2nd December communal worship can resume. West Berkshire is in 'High Alert' tier level 2; this mean PLACES OF WORSHIP are Open, but you “cannot interact with anyone outside household or support bubble” when you’re in the building.

Church buildings continue to be OPEN for Private Prayer (details below); the Community Post Office in St Stephen’s church centre will continue to open on Monday and Friday mornings.

For details of church services please see our events page or look at the page for each church.

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NEW VICAR FOR OUR BENEFICE!

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NEW VICAR FOR OUR BENEFICE!

We are delighted to announce that Reverend Grant Fensome is joining us as our new Vicar early in 2021. He will be licensed by the Bishop of Reading on Tuesday 2nd February. We will circulate more information about his licensing in due course.

Grant is currently Curate in the Parish of Broxbourne with Wormley in Hertfordshire and is very excited at the prospect of his ministry with us. He is married to Naomi and has a young daughter Bethany who will be going to Sparklers Preschool in Basildon. They plan to move into the Vicarage during January.

15th November 2020

Grant’s letter to the Benefice

Hello everybody,

I wished to send a quick message to you all on this exciting day. My family and I can’t wait to come and join you in the New Year. We are looking forward to getting to know you all, but in the meantime here is a little flavour of Fensome life.

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November Restrictions Update

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November Restrictions Update

Although we can't have services in our church buildings until Wednesday 2nd December, they are OPEN for Private Prayer (details below); also permitted are essential voluntary and public services (such as the Post Office, which will continue to open on Monday and Friday mornings).

During November, the Ministry Team is planning on running virtual services as follows:

  • 8th November – recording of Act of Remembrance by War Memorial to go on YouTube along with Remembrance Sunday worship service

  • 15th November – 10 am Zoom Holy Communion

  • 22nd November – 10am YouTube Morning Worship

  • 29th November – 10am Zoom Holy Communion

In the meantime let's do what we can - pray and call each other on the phone

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St Stephen's collecting Harvest donations for Reading Homeless

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St Stephen's collecting Harvest donations for Reading Homeless

St Stephen's collecting Harvest donations for Reading Homeless:

Especially needed: Tinned vegetables; men's shampoo, men's deodorant, men's socks
No rice, pasta, and baked beans, thanks but they have loads!
You can drop your donations off on Monday mornings, Wednesday all day, Friday mornings or Sunday all day or bring to our harvest service on 4th October. We will continue collecting after Sunday